Lloyd Price - Mr. Personality: Million Sellers And More From ABC (review)
Lloyd Price - Mr. Personality: Million Sellers And More From ABC (Shout; Shout 43)
reviewed by Michael Macomber
Lloyd Price is a rhythm and blues Renaissance man. Storyteller, romantic balladeer, blues wailer, pop prince; Price is all this and more. 16 of the 27 killer tracks on Mr. Personality have Price’s writing credit attached to them, proving he isn’t just a fabulous voice. Of course, the importance of that voice cannot be overstated. Price hits every emotional and musical note in a song, while sounding like he isn’t even breaking a sweat.
Price’s New Orleans upbringing no doubt had a major effect on his development as a performer. His timing, his ability to shout on key, his immense personality, and his boundless energy all smack of a childhood spent learning from the great jazz and blues players. He reads “Stagger Lee” like someone who saw it firsthand, and he sings the horn driven “Have You Ever Had The Blues” with a rockin’ ring of truth.
On the other end of the spectrum is the hilariously innocent “I’m Gonna Get Married,” a goofy teen ballad with sweet and silly lyrics. When Price declares, “How come every time I’m with her/she whispers so soft and low/it makes me wanna jump and holler/and bump my head into a door,” his comic delivery is spot on.
Price’s rendition of “Corrine Corrina,” with its island beat backing, is a great, big musical smile. His voice sounds so pure and his phrasing is so irresistibly rhythmic, he manages to put a whole new spin on the song. Price’s own “Mailman Blues” heads back toward rollicking territory, with Price bouncing every note magnificently. The chartbusting “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” another Price original, sounds better and more rockin’ today than ever.
Every tune on this fantastic collection just serves to re-enforce the simple truth: Mr. Price was, is, and always will be the one and only, Mr. Personality.
